We recently connected with Ashley Trevino and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?
I believe the first step to becoming successful is believing in yourself. For the longest time I doubted that I could become a Tattoo Artist. It seemed so far fetched. Then 2023 came rolling around the corner and I made it my goal to find a tattoo apprenticeship. Being successful also takes courage. I quit my full time job as a bank teller so I could spend my time putting together my last few portfolio pieces. I went into my favorite tattoo shop, TBA Tattoos and brought my portfolio with me. I remember being extremely nervous. But I knew that this was the first step to living out my dream. I ended up getting an apprenticeship and an opportunity to learn under my current mentor Mike Asfour. I learned from then on that in order to be successful I had to apply myself everyday to get better, I had to fail in order to learn, and I had to stay focus on my goal. A big part of being successful in anything you do is having the passion and dedication for what you do. It came to a point where I was obsessed with learning and becoming a better artist. And I believe that’s not something you can teach, only feel. I also believe support from friends family and the opportunity given by my mentor has helped me become a successful Tattoo Apprentice!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hello, i’m Ashley Trevino and I am currently a Tattoo Apprentice transitioning into a full time Tattoo Artist. I enjoy Tattooing Black and Grey illustrations, Ornamental, or Traditional pieces. I enjoy working with clientele to create a fun and comfortable experience. My main focus is having my clients leave the shop with a tattoo that makes them happy and is done well! What sets me apart from other Artists is my positive attitude and patience through the tattoo process. Tattoos can be scary for some people and I like to make sure everyone feels safe! I love what I do and I think that’s an important trait in an artist. I take into consideration what my clients want their tattoo to look like and what they don’t want. I’m proud that so many clients have gotten my original artwork/flash tattooed on them! This means the world to me.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I started posting on my Tattoo Instagram page at the very beginning of my apprenticeship. My page went from paintings and drawing posts, to tattoos on fake silicone skin, to my first few tattoos on close friends. Now I make posts about larger Tattoo projects. I think I’ve built an audience through this because people like to see progress. People enjoyed following me through my Journey. Whether that be friends, family, future clientele, or even someone aspiring to become a tattoo apprentice as well.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
Whenever I tattoo a new client I will usually hit them up a few weeks after the session to ask them how their tattoo is healing up, and asked them to send me a photo. If their tattoo needs any touch up work I’d ask them to come in for a free touch up!
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Ashley Trevino